GEORGE RAFTOPOULOS

Born 1972

George Raftopoulos was born in Sydney in 1972, the son of Greek parents. His childhood, from the age of five, was spent in the New South Wales town of Grenfell. In the 1970s, the Raftopouloses found themselves to be the only Greek family in the town. In this context, as a youth, George ruminated on questions of cultural identity. They are questions his paintings continue to plumb.

“The Greekness is inherent. Fortunately for me being the only Greek in Grenfell we had to prove ourselves. Up until that stage we where looked upon as complete exiles. It worked out in the end I try to explain these feelings to my children and they have no concept of racism – but I tell you it makes one stronger. It formed the foundation for me to make pictures. I think about it from time to time and it resonates a lot with me now that it was in fact the best education in my life. We lived in NY for 4 years and we were considered Aussies. However when I would go back to Grenfell we were wogs. It’s a funny dichotomy and, yes, it fuels paintings of self and makes me appreciate my Greek heritage more.” GR

George Raftopoulos speaks of his painting as “mapping the memory”. He refers to his paintings incorporating fragmentary references to places he has been, events he has witnessed, and sensations he has experienced. He refers, too, to his paintings touching aspects of his race memory, aspects of his cultural lineage.

“In the work of Sydney artist George Raftopoulos we see an intensely personal journey of love, doubt and empowerment. Yet like the Greek myths which hold specific significance for Raftopoulos, a child of Greek migrant parents, Raftopoulos’s predominantly autobiographical paintings are reaching for universal themes of hope, longing, fear, love and desire. The artist’s fears are mitigated by his heroic shadowy figures. These paintings undoubtedly speak of his heritage and history – Hellenic in conception yet Antipodean in execution… Raftopoulos, a skilled drawer and painter, layers colour and line to hide clues throughout his paintings. These nuances of line and the graphic quality of his mark making provide powerful moments for the viewer.” Ralph Hobbs 2012

Raftopoulos’ language is defined largely by three main elements; colour, brushstroke and the emerging and often prominent figures. Built upon his signature working of layers of paint his varying brushstroke brings to life the energy of each piece. Sometimes strong and defined, other times swift and delicate the expression of each line adds contrast and texture to the work. Raftopoulos’ use of colour is bold and decisive and often surprising. He has moved away from the more tonal canvas and now embraces the use of colour to inform the mood and story of each piece.